Cathelco protection for Turkish newbuilds
Tersan Shipyard has placed one of the orders, for a 128.5m subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) construction vessel being built for Vorstad Shipping. The hull of the vessel will be protected against corrosion with a Cathelco impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system, while a seawater pipework anti-fouling system will protect engine cooling lines against blockages caused by barnacles and mussels.
The ICCP system consists of an arrangement of hull mounted disc anodes and reference electrodes wired to a control panel. In operation, the anodes emit a current which neutralises corrosion-causing electro-chemical activity. The system is monitored through reference electrodes which measure electrical potential at the hull/seawater interface, adjusting the anode output accordingly.
The new ship, of ST-259 design, is due to be delivered in the last quarter of 2015.
The shipyard has ordered similar equipment for a multi-purpose platform supply vessel under construction for Tidewater Marine. Designed for arctic conditions, the vessel will be operated by the Norwegian Troms Offshore Supply Group, a subsidiary of Tidewater.
“As the Volstad and Tidewater vessels are designed for cold climate conditions to DNV DEICE class, the ICCP control panels provide a higher ‘driving’ force of 50v. This is because Arctic waters contain more fresh water resulting in higher resistivity which needs to be overcome with a higher voltage,” said Anna Siodlak, country manager at Cathelco.
Another order for similar equipment has been received from Besiktas Shipyard is for a 69.80m live fish carrier being built for Norwegian owner Intership. And the Ozata Shipyard has also ordered Cathelco systems for four 39m passenger ferries under construction for the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.
